CHARGER NATION: STATE QUARTERFINALS

Charger Nation,

Well it is finally here.  The game we have all been waiting for has arrived.  Tonight we play Mt. Paran, the team that whipped us good in the state championship game last year.  To say we aren’t looking forward to the game and excited about the opportunity is an understatement.  I am not at all being cocky and arrogant when I say we want to play Mt. Paran.  They are a great team, a great school and they have a great coach.  They are probably the biggest teams we have faced all year (maybe GAC??).  They have a great tailback in #5 who is leading the state in rushing.  It will be an absolute war tonight.  We will have to play flawlessly if we are going to be beat them.  But we are all fired up about it.  A competitor lives to play in games likes these tonight!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday and I hope we can put an exclamation mark on Thanksgiving weekend with a win tonight.   But win or lose tonight, that will never have an impact over the things for which I am truly thankful.  Yesterday as a team had the seniors stand up and tell what they were thankful for and it was good to hear the boys place value in the relationships they have rather than the material things they have.  As I set around and pondered yesterday, here are my top things I am thankful for:

1.) Jesus Christ.  I was lost but have been found.  I was blind but now I see.  Jesus Christ died for me so that I may die to sin and have eternal life.  He is my Creator, Sustainer and Savior.  He has paid the price for my sins.  He opened my eyes up to my sin.  He convicts me of the sin I still commit.  Jesus Christ came so that he may set our paths straight and follow him.  I am thankful that God has drawn my heart to himself and given me the desire to live a surrendered life to him.  “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!”  (Psalm 40:4)

2.) I am thankful for my family.   I am thankful for Dee and Uriah.   There is no greater blessing besides Jesus Christ than the family that God gives us.  Dee and Uriah are blessings from the Lord.  As I watch the Lord grow the desire in my wife’s heart to love and serve him I grow more and more thankful.  I pray he does the same work in the life of my son.  I will do my best to raise him in Christ but I know that Christ must change his heart.  

3.) I am thankful for my mom and dad who sacrificed so much for me and were diligent to raise me in the fear of the Lord.  I can remember in high school being mad at my parents because they wouldn’t buy me a car or buy me certain things.  I realize now two things:  1. We didn’t have much money so they couldn’t and 2.) they gave me the only thing that matters at all: teaching me and holding me accountable to Jesus Christ.  I didn’t really get that either until after college but the foundation they laid in my life I know is invaluable! “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

4.) I love coaching football for God’s glory.  God called me into coaching football to help you build your young boys into Godly men.  That is what this game is all about.  I hope we win lots of state championships and region championships but that is not what it is all about.  What I really hope is 10 years from now I look and see your son being a great father, a great husband and a man who is impacting his community for good.  As we challenge them to be Warriors on the football field, the real goal is that they become Warriors in life!  Yep, I have days where I wonder what in the world I am doing coaching high school boys whose brains aren’t fully functional—BUT, could there be a greater calling than investing in the young men who are going to lead their families one day, who are going to lead their community one day, who are going to lead the church one day, who may become leaders of this nation one day?  So even when they really get on my nerves, I count it a great blessing to be a football coach!

5.) Each morning I wake up and get a text from Mr. Chambers (the previous ELCA headmaster) that he sends to a group of men he prays for.  I always see a text also from Coach Phil who is the Washington County chaplain and a leader in that community.  I am so thankful for the Godly men God has put in my path and in the path of others.   The only way we are going to grow spiritually and be unwavering in our character is to surround ourselves with Godly men.  I know the coaching staff we have at ELCA is loves the Lord.  To be able to work with a man like Kenny Dallas who is just as passionate about being a Godly man as he is about shutting down opposing teams offenses is a blessing.  Mr. Gilliam, our headmaster is a great leader for Jesus Christ.  Richard Allen, our principal loves the Lord and loves your boys. I’ve been working with our AD, Coach Queen, for a while now and I know his desire is to serve the Lord and raise his children in the fear of the Lord.  To not name Jerry Barber, Joe Bryan, Drew Walston, Robbie Moore, Seth Graham, Tim Creamer, Dale Albrecht, Anthony Mitchell, Bryan Shockley, Tim Luke specifically would be an injustice.  These men love the Lord and have poured into this football team diligently all year since July.  Just like me, they are much more concerned with your boy as a Godly man than what he does on that field (but what we really care about what he does on that field too!) These men are blessings—not just because they coach but because they are men who love and fear the Lord and influence me. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20, ESV)

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.”  Proverbs 21:31

BEAT Mt. Paran!!

Wholly for Christ,

Coach Gess

CHARGER NATION: GAME #11

 

 

Charger Nation, 

 

               Seems like forever since we have played a game.  I am excited and fired up to play tonight and I know our boys are as well.  This is a huge game as it is a playoff game against one of the top 16 teams that survived to make the playoffs.  There is also another big game in ELCA football this week.  Our 3^rd and 4^th grade team has made it to their championship game.  Tom Mertz, Al Hosford and their staff have done a fabulous job this year.  They play tomorrow at 2pm at Lamar County High School.  We have a successful high school program because of the hard work and dedication of coaches at our younger levels.  I cannot thank them enough.

            Tonight’s game is a challenge for a 15-18 year old boy.  They have already beat Mt. Pisgah in a convincing fashion this year in game #4 which was more than 2 months ago.  It is very hard for them not to get their eyes set on future games in the play-offs that could happen.  In their minds they naturally think all we have to do is show up and do what we do and move on to the next round.  That is probably a common thought process among any common person.  BUT—great teams and great individuals do not think like a common person.  Excellence is an uncommon thing.  Common is mediocre and where most people live.  Therefore, we had to change our thinking.

            There are no guarantees in life.  I love football because it teaches boys who are still in the homes of their mommy’s and daddy’s that they have to work their tails off in order to be successful.  Competitive sports assist in the man making process.  Two weeks ago 60% of the football playing teams in Georgia were done.  After last Friday night another 15% went home.  Tonight about 25% of the high school football teams are playing football.  In our county alone, there are 11 GHSA football playing teams and only 2 still left in the playoffs.  To be playing tonight is an accomplishment in itself we always take for granted here at ELCA.  So I commend our boys for the achieving the right to play tonight. 

            Once we get into the playoffs it is do or die time.  Play well and win and you get to move to the next round.  Play bad and lose and you are done.  It’s a reality we all know and understand.  3 years ago our coaching staff set down together as we entered into the playoffs and came up with 7 things that we believe would lead us to success in the playoffs.  We have been 9-2 in the playoffs with this plan.  Yes I realize a plan without great players doesn’t work but I do want to share it with you.  

1.)  Be humble and hungry.  The humble man realizes he must work his tail off and earn the right to fight on.  Humility sets the tone to accomplish points 2-7.

2.)  Respect each opponent.

3.)  Practice with intensity each day.

4.)  Practice with a desire to get better each day.

5.)  Expect a war each game.

6.)  If you give everything you’ve got every single day, you will prevail. 

7.)  Play with an intensity that cannot be matched.

 "You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.”  2^nd Samuel 22:28

      Humility sets the tone of our 7 points.  We are always at war battling arrogance and pride.  Arrogance and pride destroy everything in its path!  I believe it is important that each and everyday we humbly thank God for the life he has given us and then humbly submit all things to him.  Not only has he given us life but also he sustains our life.  Our heart beats because He wills it to beat.  Most importantly, He sent Christ to save us from our sin and rebellion against him.  Therefore, humbly we praise God, our Creator, Sustainer and the Savior of our souls.  The proud and arrogant man can never submit to God eternal reign over our souls.  So I pray, Lord make us a humble people and open our eyes to yourself! 

 

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.” 

 Proverbs 21:31

 Wholly for Christ,

 Coach Gess

CHARGER NATION: GAME #10

Charger Nation,

         I want to congratulate a few ELCA teams that have done a fantastic job this year.  John Buckley and his coaching staff led our 5th/6th team to the championship when they won 15-13 at Landmark two weeks ago.  Tom Mertz and his coaching staff have led our 3rd and 4th grade team to an undefeated regular season and now head into the playoffs tomorrow.  Our varsity softball team won another state championship last weekend.  I know I have fallen into the trap of just expecting them to win state cause it seems they do every year.  A lot of work goes into getting those girls by Coach Campbell and his staff that everyone takes for granted.  Also, that senior group of girls was special and achieved everything and more everyone expected of them. 

         Last week we wrapped up the region championship with our victory over Our Lady of Mercy.  Tonight we are playing for an undefeated region record on the year.  Mount Vernon is a much improved football team from last year and we must be ready to play.  We have had a good week of practice and our boys are prepared.  Now they must go out and perform. 
        I've already talked about this topic this year but I was convicted of some things this past Sunday now that seasons are ending and I can see how the boasting of tomorrow did not come to fruition for so many.This past summer I remember all kinds of hype being created by high school teams and college teams.  Even this week I hear of more hype videos coming out for games that will be played this week.  But from all the hype we have heard this summer the dust has settled and some came to fruition and some did not.  This past Sunday a few verses came to my mind as to why we are foolish in boasting of tomorrow and I wanted to share them with you.

                “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’  As it is, you boast in your arrogance.  All such boasting is evil.”  (James 4:13-16)

         We all struggle with pride and arrogance.  They are sins that plague us but sins God calls us to put to death.  In our pride we want to boast of what we will do tomorrow because it makes us feel good. It makes us feel important and valuable.  But it is a false reality.  Anytime I find myself boasting in tomorrow it is rooted in my pride.  God’s word tell us that we do not know what tomorrow may bring.  We must work our tails off today for a better tomorrow but we should not boast about tomorrow.  Here is why: because ultimately God is in control of our tomorrows!  What pride and arrogance it is when we boast of what we will do tomorrow when tomorrow belongs in the hands of God.  **I am not saying not to plan for tomorrow...but do not boast about tomorrow!

           Some people may argue and say that when they boast about tomorrow they are creating expectations and dreams and that motivates people.  I understand this but it also creates false expectations.  It puts the future in our hands and this is pride.  The world wants to tell us that we are the masters of our fate but nothing could be further from the truth.  When my eyes become to forward thinking I start to lose track of the importance and the value of this day—this gift of today that God has given me.  He hasn’t given me tomorrow, but he has given me today.  I must make the most of it:  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
         “Do not boast of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”  (Proverbs 27:1)  One character trait that I strive to instill in these boys is the fostering of a desire in their hearts to wake up and work hard today.  I know coaches are always trying to come up with gimmicks to motivate their players and those have their place, but what would be really nice is if our boys learned to just go to work each day without someone having to motivate them.  All of you to whom I’m writing are grown and have to go to work everyday.  You don’t have a coach following you around creating hype videos for you to do a good job at work.  But you know you must do well today or your kid won’t eat.  That’s what our boys need to learn.  Get your tail up and go to work and get after it.  You do this and your future will be ok.  I don’t know how good it will be but it will be ok.  So don’t talk about tomorrow because your talk today is stopping your productivity today!  Focus 100 percent on today because you do not know what this day will bring!

                “But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  (Matthew 6:33-34)

          How can we live a life free from boasting about tomorrow and humbly approaching each day?  Seek first the Kingdom of God.  We get so wrapped up in everything that is going on in the world and we quickly take our eyes of Christ.  When we take our eyes off Christ we start desiring everything the world has to offer.  Our pride and arrogance start to take over as we neglect Christ.  Christ tells us to seek him first and do not worry about tomorrow cause he is in control.  “All these things will be added to you” means God is going to take care of the things we need and we worry about.  We don’t need to boast of tomorrow and create hype of tomorrow because God is in control of tomorrow.  He is sovereign—we are not!  But there in vs 34 He does tell us to work today: “sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  Be your best today!

         When I allow my eyes and heart to gaze into tomorrow I open up my life to sin.  When I lust after the desires and hopes and dreams of tomorrow I let my guard down into the battle that must be fought today.  Let us strive to enjoy this day and all that God has to offer us in it.  You just have to believe that if you can Win the Day everyday that your tomorrows will be just fine.  May we always keep Jesus Christ as our sole focus as to why we exist each day!  May we have confidence that He will take care of our tomorrows and give us exactly what we need!

 “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” Proverbs 21:31

 Win the Day!

 Wholly for Christ,

 Coach Gess